Zapkins Nightmare (NOW WITH HAPPY ENDING!) - Page 3

SamM · 03-22-2008, 05:54 AM

Well, I simply must chime in again at this point! My warranty claim was turned down by this same dealership. I was dealing with a QLink bike and not the American Lifan but I feel this dealership did nothing to help me with the situation. They basically said to my face, "that I must have wrecked the bike before I brought it in to them." I barely rode the bike and certainly did not wreck it. The frame was bent, when I got it, the bike was leaking oil and the battery cable was broken. They fixed the cable and did nothing else. The bike has been sitting in my garage since the day I brought it home after it sat in their shop for 8 weeks. Actually, I think they wrecked the bike while they had it. When I got it back the handlebars were bent and the electric starter would not start the bike anymore. It was also scratched up. When I told them the bars weren't bent and the body was scratched when I brought it in to them. They shrugged their shoulders and said, "that's the way it was when we got it!" I'll never forget it! I thought what a bunch of liars!

Honestly, my QLink's warranty wasn't worth the paper it was printed on. I have only had my bike since August 26, 2007. Technically the warranty was good for 1 year. I have no recourse with this! Unless you contact American Lifan and report the problem and what the dealership is doing to you, the dealership will do it for you and make something up to cover themselves. At this point be very careful. Take pictures of the bike and document what has happened.

SamM

TeamCheap · 03-22-2008, 07:34 AM

Ok I got ya ZAPKIN.

SamM, warranties to me just seem to be a gimmick although when my dr650 blew a front fork seal the dealer repaired it but it took a very long time (weeks-for a fork seal-OMG) but on something like these china bikes while I feel they really need a warranty because of what they are, I actually wouldnt expect a warranty to be honored because of the nature of most of the people selling them.

I think there are only a few dealers who sell china bikes that actually care about taking care of their customers, the rest just care about making all that money. :x

I bought our bikes with the thinking I will have to do some wrenching which didnt bother or scare me(i accepted that) but I never thought I'd have to whip out the sawsall and welder on them.

kczukiman · 03-22-2008, 09:34 AM

Zap,I think I would do as another suggested.I would make them aware of this site.Also I would let them know that A.L. follows the info and fedback from the members of the forum,as well as telling them your documenting and takig pictures of the whole ordeal to report them to A.L..As well as reporting them to the BBB.
Tell them your a man of princable and right is right no matter if its a honda , BMW,or a Chinese bike.And you wont let up on them until you are satisfied.

03-22-2008, 12:00 PM

I called AL this morning and left them a message. I also made a video detailing in my own words my current situation. A friend of mine has agreed to help me with the bolt inspection today. Will have the verdict by 5pm today, maybe sooner.

culcune · 03-22-2008, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MATT

Especially since you laid down the cash for an american lifan. If american lifan is supposedly so much better than online sellers of grey market bikes than why don't they put or shut up. I have to say that your issue even pisses me off. We've all sat here and listened to this churched up b.s. about the whole A.L. slash grey market disagreeaments. I think you should give em hell and use this forum as tool to get your point across.

Sorry if I offended anyone but I think the bullying, controlling attitude that A.L. takes to industry needs to be considered now that they have stolen the market and will continue to raise the prices on a product that seems to be no better than that which we were all at one time purchasing online significantly cheaper. If you want a product to be sold only by authorized dealers then those dealerships need to be held accountable and must make things right especially on a bike that only has 600 miles. My Drz400 doesn't even require an oil change until that point! I would demand a new engine.

I second this. Let A. Lifan stand behind their product if the dealer isn't going to.

SamM · 03-22-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

SamM, warranties to me just seem to be a gimmick although when my dr650 blew a front fork seal the dealer repaired it but it took a very long time (weeks-for a fork seal-OMG) but on something like these china bikes while I feel they really need a warranty because of what they are, I actually wouldnt expect a warranty to be honored because of the nature of most of the people selling them.

I think there are only a few dealers who sell china bikes that actually care about taking care of their customers, the rest just care about making all that money.

I bought our bikes with the thinking I will have to do some wrenching which didnt bother or scare me(i accepted that) but I never thought I'd have to whip out the sawsall and welder on them.

I somewhat concur! I don't take much stock in warranties. My new KLR has a warranty but I don't plan to use it. Parts are readily available and I can afford to fix whatever happens to this bike. However, warranties are the only recourse that customers have to insure a product is exceptable for purchase. If your brand new Mercedes Benz/McLaren SLK blew it's engine, four blocks from the dealer on the day you bought it, what would you do? You'd call the dealership, they'd send a flatbed and they'd take it back to the dealership to be fixed. Anything else is unacceptable! You're not going to buy a new engine for that brand new McLaren! After spending that much you couldn't or wouldn't want/afford too! What's the difference? The cost of what you spent? With such glaring issues on a brand new bike, I expected to have my brand new bike fixed. It's not like I can run down to the local Zongshen dealer and get something off the shelf. Is it too much to ask to have the bike made right? I guess so, because they found a way out from under it. As I said, I don't take much stock in warranties, but come on! If I want the bike fixed now, I have to break out the Sawzall and welder. That is unacceptable! Not on a brand new bike! Forum like this will help because they word will get out and hopefully people will walk away. Unfortunately, people sometimes need to find out for themselves and don't believe what is reported to them. I tend to be the same way and like to give slack where I shouldn't.

The parts availability is a completetly separate issue. It's uncalled for and should never, ever happen. If I could just find a frame to buy I could fix the bent motorcycle. I'm willing to do that. I was aways willing to do that from day one. The trouble is nobody can get me a frame. How lame is that!

I feel for Zapkin. I know where he is coming from. Don't buy into the claims of these manufacturers or dealers. Pumpkin reported that if he had it to do again he would have bought his bike from ebay or T-Motorsports for way less than he has in it. The warranty simply wasn't worth the extra cost. On that note: I would want to put in a plug for Bruce at EJCycles. He is the only dealer I would buy an American Lifan motorcycle from. I have had dealings with him and he is a good guy. I'm sure he would work to help anyway he could. If the GY-6 comes to America, I would buy one from Bruce based on reputation alone!

If I go down the chinabike road again, and I may very well do that. Either the United Motors DSF/SMF-200 or the American Lifan GY-6 would be the bikes I'd be looking at.

SamM

culcune · 03-22-2008, 06:05 PM

Diamo, according to their site, will pick you and the bike up, wherever you are, and take you to the nearest Diamo dealer. Of course, their bikes are in what I would call "premium" Chinese bike territory just based on their prices, but a less active member, 'tzrider' (who used to contribute alot, but not lately) had an '04 model enduro and had very good luck with it, and the bikes improved (and went up in price) since then.

My local UM dealer is also a Diamo dealer, but does not actively keep diamos in stock. I don't know if I would trust that dealer to honor, well anything, but the idea of Diamo actually picking you up if you are stranded (several times in 250 degree F heat--ok 105 F with my Jetmoto) makes me think about spending the extra cash, provided the cost isn't approaching japanese territory like the UM is (that same dealer wants around $3600 on the road for the DSF and SMF 200).

However, I would trust that UM, Diamo and Qlink would honor their warranties--taking the dealer into account, and the circumstance for buying the bike (I think that is why they dissed you, Sam!).

03-22-2008, 08:35 PM

did not get to work on bike today as it was cold as heck and spitting the occasional flurry. hopefully i can do it tomorrow after dinner if my friend can be lured into it...hehe I think a 12 pack might help to seal the deal.

SamM · 03-23-2008, 12:27 AM

I didn't tell them any of the circumstances about buying the bike. It doesn't really matter anyway. I had a new bike and they did nothing! The warranty wasn't worth the time it took to print it.

Just my opinion!

SamM

03-23-2008, 12:32 AM

it is a 1600 dollar lesson.

i spent more than that on escorts and herbal remedies the last time the student loan came in. i need to keep it all in perspective.

FREE TIBET!!!!

03-23-2008, 12:35 AM

which goes to show how totally distorted my priorities are.

culcune · 03-23-2008, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamM

I didn't tell them any of the circumstances about buying the bike. It doesn't really matter anyway. I had a new bike and they did nothing! The warranty wasn't worth the time it took to print it.

Just my opinion!

SamM

I am annoyed that they didn't take care of you. You got jipped by the dealer, but Qlink should have stepped up with the frame--the PR would have been well worth it!

culcune · 03-23-2008, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zapkin

it is a 1600 dollar lesson.

i spent more than that on escorts and herbal remedies the last time the student loan came in. i need to keep it all in perspective.

FREE TIBET!!!!

do you have pictures or video--of the escorts, not the herbal remedies? :wink:

03-23-2008, 01:51 AM

Check out Godfather's on Wheeling Island..but be discrete.

and as far as the remedies..only trust people you've known your whole life.

heheheheheh

you should see how I just flipped out on AL..but piss on them now. if and when I buy another bike it will not be a american lifan. Im sort of liking those 250 rocketas...or even that retro looking rocketa i posted about a while back.

if I buy another china bike I will mail order it and I won't expect any support or service other than what me and my buddies can do and if it breaks I will just say...whatever.

I've started saving

wish i could get one of those little honda 350's like this one:

buddy of mine had one and it ran like a top until he dumped it on ice and trashed it :(

rigidchop · 03-23-2008, 07:43 AM

i was considering buying a bike from that dealership. i guess i wont be spending my chinabucks there. as to the 350, those bikes are pretty cool looking. the engine in the pics looks pretty similar to a lifan engine (at least the lower case does) and i was looking at some cb 200's in a magazine the other day, thinking about trying to fit a china motor into one. sorry not trying to hijack your thread, your whole experience is why i have not taken the china bike plunge as of yet. (not really yours in particular, but i never have good luck with anything questionable)

03-22-2008, 05:54 AM	#31
SamM Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,194	Well, I simply must chime in again at this point! My warranty claim was turned down by this same dealership. I was dealing with a QLink bike and not the American Lifan but I feel this dealership did nothing to help me with the situation. They basically said to my face, "that I must have wrecked the bike before I brought it in to them." I barely rode the bike and certainly did not wreck it. The frame was bent, when I got it, the bike was leaking oil and the battery cable was broken. They fixed the cable and did nothing else. The bike has been sitting in my garage since the day I brought it home after it sat in their shop for 8 weeks. Actually, I think they wrecked the bike while they had it. When I got it back the handlebars were bent and the electric starter would not start the bike anymore. It was also scratched up. When I told them the bars weren't bent and the body was scratched when I brought it in to them. They shrugged their shoulders and said, "that's the way it was when we got it!" I'll never forget it! I thought what a bunch of liars! Honestly, my QLink's warranty wasn't worth the paper it was printed on. I have only had my bike since August 26, 2007. Technically the warranty was good for 1 year. I have no recourse with this! Unless you contact American Lifan and report the problem and what the dealership is doing to you, the dealership will do it for you and make something up to cover themselves. At this point be very careful. Take pictures of the bike and document what has happened. SamM __________________ 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara MOAB 2005 BMW E53 X5 2011 Schutt Industries LTT-HC LQG trailer 2017 Coleman CT200U 1978 Yamaha SR500E 1979 Yamaha XS650 Special II
	0

03-22-2008, 06:05 PM	#37
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	Diamo, according to their site, will pick you and the bike up, wherever you are, and take you to the nearest Diamo dealer. Of course, their bikes are in what I would call "premium" Chinese bike territory just based on their prices, but a less active member, 'tzrider' (who used to contribute alot, but not lately) had an '04 model enduro and had very good luck with it, and the bikes improved (and went up in price) since then. My local UM dealer is also a Diamo dealer, but does not actively keep diamos in stock. I don't know if I would trust that dealer to honor, well anything, but the idea of Diamo actually picking you up if you are stranded (several times in 250 degree F heat--ok 105 F with my Jetmoto) makes me think about spending the extra cash, provided the cost isn't approaching japanese territory like the UM is (that same dealer wants around $3600 on the road for the DSF and SMF 200). However, I would trust that UM, Diamo and Qlink would honor their warranties--taking the dealer into account, and the circumstance for buying the bike (I think that is why they dissed you, Sam!). __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
	0

03-23-2008, 12:27 AM	#39
SamM Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,194	I didn't tell them any of the circumstances about buying the bike. It doesn't really matter anyway. I had a new bike and they did nothing! The warranty wasn't worth the time it took to print it. Just my opinion! SamM __________________ 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara MOAB 2005 BMW E53 X5 2011 Schutt Industries LTT-HC LQG trailer 2017 Coleman CT200U 1978 Yamaha SR500E 1979 Yamaha XS650 Special II
	0

03-22-2008, 07:34 AM	#32
TeamCheap Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: directly under the earths sun............NOW Posts: 2,302	Ok I got ya ZAPKIN. SamM, warranties to me just seem to be a gimmick although when my dr650 blew a front fork seal the dealer repaired it but it took a very long time (weeks-for a fork seal-OMG) but on something like these china bikes while I feel they really need a warranty because of what they are, I actually wouldnt expect a warranty to be honored because of the nature of most of the people selling them. I think there are only a few dealers who sell china bikes that actually care about taking care of their customers, the rest just care about making all that money. :x I bought our bikes with the thinking I will have to do some wrenching which didnt bother or scare me(i accepted that) but I never thought I'd have to whip out the sawsall and welder on them.
	0

03-22-2008, 09:34 AM	#33
kczukiman Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Independence,Missouri Posts: 1,049	Zap,I think I would do as another suggested.I would make them aware of this site.Also I would let them know that A.L. follows the info and fedback from the members of the forum,as well as telling them your documenting and takig pictures of the whole ordeal to report them to A.L..As well as reporting them to the BBB. Tell them your a man of princable and right is right no matter if its a honda , BMW,or a Chinese bike.And you wont let up on them until you are satisfied.
	0

03-22-2008, 12:00 PM	#34
Guest Posts: n/a	I called AL this morning and left them a message. I also made a video detailing in my own words my current situation. A friend of mine has agreed to help me with the bolt inspection today. Will have the verdict by 5pm today, maybe sooner.
	0

03-22-2008, 08:35 PM	#38
Guest Posts: n/a	did not get to work on bike today as it was cold as heck and spitting the occasional flurry. hopefully i can do it tomorrow after dinner if my friend can be lured into it...hehe I think a 12 pack might help to seal the deal.
	0

03-23-2008, 12:32 AM	#40
Guest Posts: n/a	it is a 1600 dollar lesson. i spent more than that on escorts and herbal remedies the last time the student loan came in. i need to keep it all in perspective. FREE TIBET!!!!
	0

03-23-2008, 12:35 AM	#41
Guest Posts: n/a	which goes to show how totally distorted my priorities are.
	0

03-23-2008, 01:51 AM	#44
Guest Posts: n/a	Check out Godfather's on Wheeling Island..but be discrete. and as far as the remedies..only trust people you've known your whole life. heheheheheh you should see how I just flipped out on AL..but piss on them now. if and when I buy another bike it will not be a american lifan. Im sort of liking those 250 rocketas...or even that retro looking rocketa i posted about a while back. if I buy another china bike I will mail order it and I won't expect any support or service other than what me and my buddies can do and if it breaks I will just say...whatever. I've started saving wish i could get one of those little honda 350's like this one: buddy of mine had one and it ran like a top until he dumped it on ice and trashed it :(
	0

03-23-2008, 07:43 AM	#45
rigidchop Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: west virginia Posts: 53	i was considering buying a bike from that dealership. i guess i wont be spending my chinabucks there. as to the 350, those bikes are pretty cool looking. the engine in the pics looks pretty similar to a lifan engine (at least the lower case does) and i was looking at some cb 200's in a magazine the other day, thinking about trying to fit a china motor into one. sorry not trying to hijack your thread, your whole experience is why i have not taken the china bike plunge as of yet. (not really yours in particular, but i never have good luck with anything questionable)
	0